You’ve seen the name pop up in loading screens or deep-dive Reddit threads. Maybe you caught a glimpse of him in the Snyder Cut of Justice League or heard a rumor about a DLC skin. But there is a massive amount of confusion surrounding Ryan Choi Suicide Squad connections. Is he a member? Did he die at the hands of Amanda Waller?
Honestly, the answer is a weird mix of comic book history, a high-stakes crossover event, and a video game that left fans wanting more.
The Justice League vs. Suicide Squad Collision
Back in 2016 and 2017, DC Comics decided to smash their two most popular teams together in the Justice League vs. Suicide Squad event. This wasn't just some throwaway story; it was a massive shift for the "Rebirth" era.
Ryan Choi wasn't exactly trading punches with Deadshot or Harley Quinn as a core Squad member. Instead, he was the connective tissue. This event served as the launchpad for a new version of the Justice League of America (JLA).
Why the Atom was the pivot point
Ryan Choi is a genius. Like, "makes Einstein look like he's doing finger painting" genius. During the fallout of the Suicide Squad clash, Batman realized the world needed a different kind of team—one that wasn't just gods in capes.
- The Recruitment: Ryan was plucked from Ivy University.
- The Teammates: He ended up on a roster with Lobo and Killer Frost.
- The Vibe: It was messy, experimental, and very different from the usual Watchtower meetings.
Basically, while he wasn't "on" the Suicide Squad, his entire modern superhero origin is inextricably linked to the day the Squad tried to take down the League. He was the "science guy" who survived the chaos to become a heavy hitter.
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Ryan Choi and the Kill the Justice League Game
Fast forward to the gaming world. When Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was announced, fans immediately started looking for the Atom. Given that the game takes place in the "Arkhamverse," people expected Ryan Choi to show up as a way to take down a brainwashed Ray Palmer or even provide the tech to shrink the Squad.
The reality? It’s a bit of a letdown for Choi-stans.
While the game features a plethora of DC deep cuts, Ryan Choi’s presence is mostly felt through Easter eggs and lore rather than being a central protagonist. There were heavy rumors about him being a playable character or a major support NPC, but the focus stayed strictly on the core four: Harley, Boomer, Shark, and Deadshot.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Death
If you search for Ryan Choi, you’ll eventually hit a wall of "Rest in Peace" posts. There’s a persistent myth that he was a Suicide Squad casualty.
He wasn't.
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He was brutally murdered by Deathstroke in the Brightest Day era (2010), but that wasn't a Squad mission. It was one of the most controversial moments in DC history. Deathstroke and his "Titans for Hire" broke into Ryan's house and killed him to use his belt to save Jericho. Fans were furious.
Luckily, comic book logic is a beautiful thing. When DC did the New 52 and Rebirth resets, Ryan was brought back. He isn't dead anymore. He's very much alive, thriving, and currently serving as a core member of the T-Council.
Powers, Nanotech, and the "Bio-Belt"
Ryan Choi isn't just a guy who gets small. His version of the Atom is actually more versatile than Ray Palmer's in some ways. He treats shrinking like a physics problem rather than a superpower.
- Mass Manipulation: He can shrink to the size of a subatomic particle while maintaining the weight of a 200-pound man. Imagine being hit by a bullet that's only a millimeter wide but has the force of a freight train.
- The Bio-Belt: His tech is fueled by a remnant of a white dwarf star.
- Molecular Reconstruction: In recent runs, he’s shown the ability to change the density of objects he touches. He once turned a flying car into powder just by messing with its molecular bonds.
The Snyder Cut Connection
It's worth noting that Ryan Choi almost became a household name. In Zack Snyder's Justice League, Zheng Kai played Dr. Ryan Choi, the Director of Nanotechnology at S.T.A.R. Labs.
He works alongside Silas Stone. He's the one who helps decipher the Kryptonian tech. If the "Snyderverse" had continued, he was 100% slated to become the Atom and likely would have been the one to provide the tech used to fight back against the Squad if they ever crossed paths on screen.
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Why He Matters Now
Ryan Choi represents a specific type of hero: the reluctant one. He suffers from severe allergies, social anxiety, and a literal fear of heights (which is ironic for a guy who often flies).
He’s the "human" element in a world of aliens. When you look at the Ryan Choi Suicide Squad history, you’re looking at a character who survived the darker side of DC’s editorial decisions to become a symbol of resilience.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to follow the best of Ryan Choi, don't just look at the crossovers.
- Read "The All-New Atom" (2006): This is his best solo run. It’s weird, scientific, and fun.
- Watch "Crisis on Infinite Earths": The Arrowverse version (played by Osric Chau) gives a great look at his "Paragon of Destiny" role.
- Check the Injustice 2 DLC: If you want to actually play as him, this is the best representation of his combat style.
The intersection of Ryan Choi and the Suicide Squad is really about the bridge between the "street-level" grit of Task Force X and the high-concept sci-fi of the Justice League. He’s the guy who stays in the lab until the world starts ending, and then he’s the only one small enough to fix the problem from the inside out.